Pipe elevator



(but. 20 1 $25 1,558,261 F W GRADY PIPE ELEVATOR Filed Jan. 20, 1925 Patented Oct. 20, 1925.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

FRANK w. GRADY, or LOMITA, CALIFORNIA.

PIPE ELEVATOR.

Application filed January To all whom it may concern:

Be. it known that I, FRANK W. GRADY, a subject of Great Britain, residing at Lomita, in the county of Los Angeles and State of California, have invented a new and useful Pipe Elevator, of which the following is a specification. Y

This invention has reference .to devices especially designed for use in lifting well pipes or tubing, the'primary object of the invention being toprov'ide a device of this character which may be attached to pipes,

tubings, casings or sucker rods, in the usual and well known manner and swung into engagement with the pipe or tubing to be lifted, the jaws forming a part of the device automaticall gripping the pipe or tubing.

Another object of the invention is to provide a device of this character whereby the jaws will be automatically moved around the pipe or tubing upon the engagement of the pipe with the inner ends of the jaws, which lock automatically with latching devices.

With the foregoing and other objects in view which will appear as the description proceeds, the invention resides in the combination and arrangement of parts and in the details of construction hereinafter de scribed and claimed, it being understo d 19 that changes in the precise embodiment of the invention herein disclosed, may be made within the scope of what is claimed, without departing from the spirit of the invention. a

Referring to the drawing: 1 Figure 1 is, a plan view of an elevator constructed in accordance with the invention, the jaws thereof being shown in their open positions.

Figure 2 is a) Inn View of the elevator, the jaws being slibwn in their closed positions.

Figure 3 is a sectional view through the jaw supporting shafts.

Figure 4 is a fragmental plan view of a modified form of the locking device.

Referring to the drawing in detail, the body portion of the device is indicated by the reference character 5 and is preferably semi-circular in formation, the same having.

' laterally extended bearing members 6 that are disposed within'the links 7, which are supported in the usual and well known manner.

20, 1925, Serial No. 3,612.

At the ends of the body portion 5 are spaced bearing members 8 in which the shafts 9 are positioned, which shafts provide supports for the jaws 10. The shafts 9 are held against movement within the bearing members 8 by means of the pins 11 that are shown as positioned in registering notches formed in the bearings and shafts 9. Each-of the shafts 9 is provided with a lug 12 that supports a, pin 15 that acts as a support for one end of the coiled spring 14 associated therewith, the opposite end of the coiled spring being secured to the jaw'10 associated therewith at a point adjacent to the outer end thereof as by means of the bolt 15'.

Thus it will be seen that due to this structure, when the jaws are moved to their closed positions, the springs will be placed under lateraltension to the end that when the locking means to be hereinafter more fully described, is released, the springs 14 will act to urge the jaws to their open positions as shown by Figure 1 of the drawing.

The jaws include inwardly extended end pieces 16, that are provided with cut out portions 17 defining shoulders to be engaged by the latch members 18 that are pivotally supported within the body portion at Each latch member is. provided with" an inwardly extended end portion 20'that is apertured to receive the pin 21 associated therewith, the pins 21 being also carried by means of the head 22 formed on one end of the rod 23, the opposite end of the rod supporting the finger piece 24. Mounted on the rod 23 is a coiled spring 25 that bears against the head, at one of its ends, the o posite end of the spring resting on t e shoulder 26 so that as the finger piece 24: is moved inone direction, the spring 25 will be placed under compression, and the latch members 18 moved to disengage the shoulders of the end pieces 16 of the jaws. When the finger piece 24 is released, it will be obviousthe coiled spring 25 will return the latch members 18 to their normal positions. The fin er piece 24 operates within the member 2 that acts as a hand-hold to be gripped by the operator when it is desired to release the latch members 18.

Inthe form of the invention as illustrated by Fi ure 4, the body portion of theelevntor is mdicated at 30 and supports swivelod jaws that are provided with end pieces'31, which end pieces are provided with curved portions 32 that permit them to ride over the locking member 33 which is in the form of a block that moves between the adjacent end pieces 31 in a manner as shown by Figure 4: of the drawing to the end that outward movement of the jaws is absolutely restricted while the block is in such locking position.

A rod indicated at 34 operates through the bearing member 35 and carries the bandle 36, there being provided a coiled spring 37 surrounding the rod to be compressed when the handle 36 is moved to disengage the block 33 from the-end pieces so that when the block 33 has been moved to disengage the end pieces and the jaws are moved to their open positions, the block will be 'forced inwardly to lie in the path of travel of the end pieces 31 of the jaws.

From the foregoing it will beobvious that by moving thebody portion into engage ment with a pipe to be lifted when the jaws are in a position as illustrated by Figure l of the drawing, the end pieces 16 will engage the. pipe to the end that the aws will be.

moved to their closed positions embracing a portion of the pipe.

With the jaws in this position, it will be seen that the latch members 18 will auto,-

jaws pivota'lly supported on the maticall'y move to hold the jaws in their locking positions; claim 1. Apipe lifter including a bodlyoportion,

dy portion and having inwardly extended end portions'formed' with shoulders, a pair of pivbtedlatch members adapted to engage the ends mounted on the lugs, the outer ends of,

said spring members being connected with the aws, said spring members being normally arranged at oblique angles with respect to theinner surfaces of the jaws to normally urge the jaws to their inactive positions, and latch members for locking the jaws in their active positions.

In testimony that Iclaim the foregoing as my own,'I have hereto afiixed my signature.

rRANKwK GRADY. 

